The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-19


centrated itself arc nd her whole being
and in its pure intensity became almos
ublime.
Mr.. ID. in revealing the secret O
Myra's birth had, as il were, thrown oi
all claims to her filial obedience, bu
the generous girl took no advantage o
this most painful freedom; her grea
desire was still to win his consent TO he
union with the man she loved, he
penRiless union, for Myra neither wishet
for anything more than the love of Ihos
who had protected her infancy 10 carr,
as marriage doser to her husband.
Under the sanction of her gentl
mother-for such Mrs. d. was ever t,
Nyra-the young girl had still carried
on correspondence with Mr.. Whitney
and it was decided that he should writ,
to Mr. ID. and again request permission
to visit the young creature, who, with
out daughters right, had no desire t;
evade a daughters obedience.
Believing the acquaintance between
Myra and her lover broken off by hi:
own firm opposition, Mr.. ID. had no
given up her union with another, which
had for many years been favorite ob
ject with him. His astonishment anC
indignation may, therefore, be imagined
when the mild and respectful letter oi
Mr.. Whitney reached him at ID Place
some few weeks after the retirement Hoi
his family te their country mansion.
1t was early in the morning wher
this letter came, and Mr.. ID. was alone
with his relative and guest when he
broke the seal The anger that shoos
the proud mans nerves, the sharp ex
clamation that sprang from his lips
were heard by Mrs. L. as she passed in
to the breakfast parlor She saw the
handwriting crushed angrily between
the fingers of her husband, and filled
with dread that Myra's private cores
poDdence had been betrayed, she left
the room and hastened to her daughter
chamber
"Oh, Myra / fear-I fear that your
papa has in some way obtained one Of
| MIR. Whitney's letters" cried the gener-
Gus lady, with face that bespoke all
| the anxiety that preyed upon her.
| Myra turned a little more pailid than
usual, for her fathers anger was a terri
BILE thing to brave-of that she was
| well aware; but latter moment, her
natural courage returned, and she an
swered with some degree of frmness:
| Dear mamma, do not look so terrified.
Let his anger fail ON me; sit down.
| That pale face must not tell him that
you have ever known of these letters"
Mrs. ID. sank into seat, striving to
regain some degree of composure, and
Myra went down stairs very pale, but
making an effort to sustain with dignity
the reproaches that she felt to be pre-
pared Tor her.
Here, young lady" said Mr. d., as
Myra entered the room; there is a letter
from that Whitney again-a letter to
me-asking permission TO visit you"
Myra drew a deep breath in her agi
tation she had forgotten that this letter
might be expected, and so long as her
fathers anger had only this source, she
could withstand it.
"Well, papa, and you will answer it ?''
said the young girl, gently, but still
with some tremor of the voice.
IL wilt" was the angry reply; 81 will
answer it MS such presumption deserves! J!
Surely surely, papa, you will not
forget that Mr.. Whitney is a gentleman,
and deserving of courteous treatment?'
81 forget rothingw was the curt
reply; and without argument 1tr. ID.
left the room, and in half an hour after
an old colured man was galloping to-
ward Wilmington, with letter, directed
to Mr.. Whitney, in his pocket.
What that letter contained might
have been guessed from the hasty and
blotted address, had it not been written
black as night on the forehead of Mr. ID.
when he sat down to breakfast that
morning.
A few days went by-days of keen
anxiety to poor Myra aud her gentle
mother; then was the young girl sum-
moned once more to the presence of Mr..
ID. She found him white with rage
deeper and more terrible rage than his
fine features had ever exhibited before
letter was clenched tightly in his
hand; his fingers worked convulsively
around the crushed paper as he ad-
dressed the trembling girl.
"Twice-twice in my life have been
insIlted, grill By your father once
by your lover now. He is coming here !!
He will be in Wilmington in few days,
will hei Let him come; but as live
as | live, girl, he shall never leave that
place alive! This insult shall be atoned
then and there
ooh, father!' was all that poor MYra
could say.
If he is gentleman, he shall answer
this as gentleman. If he is what |
suppose, then | will chastise this inso-
lence as | would a meniaI. When once
we meet, one or the other will never re-
turn alive"
Myra shuddered; her pale lips refused
to utter the words that sprang to them,
and she stood before the angry man
| with her hands clasped, but motionless
as a statue. At length she gathered
strength to utter single sentence.
Father, you will not challenge Mr..
Whitney? 1t would be terrible; 1t
would kill me-"
''If he comes within my reach, if he
dares to intrude his presence even into
the neighborhood, he shall answer it
with his life or mineP' was the stern
reply.
M,ra turned away, trembling and
heart-sick; she knew that this was no
idle threat, no mere burst of vivid
passion that would die within the hour.
Her lover would Re in Wilmington in
few DAYS; it was firm but courteous
announcement to this effect that had SO
exasperated the man whom she had
just left.
"Mother-mother, he will not do this
thing-he will not meet Mr.. Whitney
with a challenger cried the harassed
young creature, throwing herself into
the arms of Mrs. D., VINO stoou ia the
chamber of her child, where she had
retired from the angry storm below.
81 fear it, alasl he deems himself
braved and insulted," said the good
lady, weeping bitterly. "Oh, Myral
why did we permit Mr.. Whitney to
write-why consent to his coming to
the neighberhood?
"Why, why, indeed if it is but to
meet his death?' cried the poor girl,
wriDging her hands. But, mother, this
can not be; my father will relentp
Mrs ID. shook her head. "Not where
he deems his honor or authority con-
temned, my poor childr'
"Oh, what can we do-what can we
do?"
"His anger is so terrible-if you could
but give up all thoughts of the man; if
| you only could, my child"
Myra withdrew from her mother
arms, her slight form seemed to dilate
and nerve itself for some great effort.
The tears hung unshed upon ber eye
iashes, and her lips were pressed firmly
together. The thoughts that swept
across her sweet face were quick and
painful; she scarcely seemed TO breathe,
so intense was the struggle within that
motionless bosom.
Mother" she said, in a low and
husky voice, SO low that it was almost a
whisper-"mother, I will give him up,
1t is to save his life or the life of your
husband; will give him upl"